Have you thought getting a dental for your pet was not that necessary?

Actually, their mouths need care just like ours do. Let’s say your cat or dog is an outside pet. There is no telling what he or she may have eaten as a midnight snack. Or maybe your dog went to say “hello” to another animal. Or maybe your cat gave another cat a bath. Regardless, that’s a lot of different bacteria spreading around and they do not get their teeth brushed several times a day like ours do!

Your dog or cat is susceptible to bacteria growing and causing infections and diseases in his or her mouth! You can do things to help them by buying good teeth chews or treats for their teeth. “Greenies” are a good choice. You can even get your dog on a healthier diet. Dr. Adney and Dr. Paredes specialize in pet diets and pet dentals so ask the vet about it and he can recommend the food for your dog’s needs.

Sometimes, a tooth(s) can get so badly “infected” that it would need to be removed.

Some signs that your dog or cat is overdue for a dental are bad breath, puffy or swollen gums, discolored teeth and ulcers on the gums.

Giving your dog or cat a good diet and treating them with some yummy chews that are good for teeth cleaning do not replace an actual dental; however, they do help keep your pet cleaner and healthier.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. So, call us and make an appointment. One of the things we are known for are our dental specials. Giving your pet a healthy mouth will ensure a happier and longer life. And that’s exactly what we want!

Fleas and ticks are not only annoyingly scratchy for your pet, but they are a burden for you too!

Firstly, what exactly are fleas? Fleas are wingless, jumping insects that will feed on the dog or cat’s blood for survival. There are actually over 2000 different types of fleas! Dog and cat fleas will even use us as hosts to feed on if they can. Fleas can carry different kinds of parasites that can later turn into diseases that can affect the life of you and your pet. It’s important to know what you can do to prevent them.

When you bring your dog or cat in, Dr. Adney or Dr. Paredes will do a thorough physical examination. One of the things they will check for is to see if your dog or cat does have fleas or ticks. If your pet does, they are simple to treat and they will give you recommendations as to what to do for your specific pet. If your dog or cat doesn’t have any, (Phew!) you will most likely hear about a tick and flea preventative. This is a monthly application that is easy and simple for you to give. Dr. Adney recommends Frontline as the flea and tick preventative to use. The clinic usually has specials on it so call and ask!

So now you have your flea and tick preventative and now you’re all set, right? …Maybe! Lets check over a couple other areas. If your dog or cat is let out to play in the backyard there are some other preventative steps you can take. Look over your yard. Fleas like to live in darker, shadowy places with areas of higher humidity. Examples of places like this would be a dog house outside, underneath the porch, swing set, places like that. Ticks like areas where the grass is tall (makes it easier for them to jump on your pet or you!).

So keep these things in mind and keep them clean, keep the yard trimmed and keep your pet on a flea and tick preventative. It really does make all the difference in the world for you and your pet.

Heartworms have several stages. They don’t start out as “worms.” Heartworm disease is actually brought about through mosquito bites to your dog or cat.

Heartworms themselves start out as a parasitic entity circulating in the blood of an infected animal. The mosquito gets this parasite from biting whatever animal that was. After that parasite is given to the mosquito, it is allowed to grow through several stages in the mosquito. (We will keep it all less technical!) Later, when the mosquito has a meal and bites your dog or cat, these parasitic entities are then passed into the bloodstream of your pet. Once this occurs, the parasite is allowed to grow into a full worm. During this growing stage of the worms in your pet, it won’t show up in a heartworm test if the mosquito recently bit your dog or cat. The reason for this is because it does take a couple months for the heartworms to go through the different growing stages it goes through before it can show up on the test.

It is called a heartworm because they congregate in the heart of your dog or cat. When your pet is first bit, the heartworms go through the bloodstream and stop in the heart. Before they become full worms and are just larvae, they reside in the heart where they are allowed to grow quickly in both length and size. Female worms have been seen to grow 14 inches long! As they grow and mature, they become sexually active and mate. Offspring is produced which puts more heartworms in your pet.

The solution to all of this is to get your dog or cat tested regularly and on a Heartworm Preventative! Heartworm preventatives are pills given monthly. Correct and honest heartworm testing is very important for the long life of your pet. Dr. Kevin Adney and Dr. Al Paredes give state of the art tests to ensure your pet’s results are accurate. Take time to do it.

Getting a new pet and adding a new addition to the family makes for happy times and fond memories! Just like any other member of your family, your new pet is going to need a few things from their doctor to have a happy, long life.

After you have caught up with your regular routine after the Holiday season, it is a must that your new pet get a physical exam from your veterinarian. No matter where your new pet came from, he or she is still susceptible to different diseases, allergies and parasites.

In this physical examination, your pet will have their eyes, nose, ears, gums and their overall body structure checked. Their skin will be thoroughly examined to check for possible allergies, diseases or parasites. Their temperature will get taken, one of our knowledgeable doctors will listen to your little one’s heart and lungs and feel over other internal organs to ensure they are functioning properly. A fecal test will also be included. Blood work may need to be done depending on your pet’s breed.

New puppies and kittens need vaccinations to help keep up their immune system while it is maturing. Certain vaccinations are required by law and others are given for important health factors.

Dr. Adney will recommend a diet plan for your pet. Each pet is different and will have their own nutritional needs.

The goal of this physical exam is to not only rule out diseases spread by parasites, fleas and ticks, but to prevent them from occurring so you and your new family member have a long road ahead.

Please call us to set up an appointment for your new pet: (727)-785-7200. We want your pet to have a long and happy life with your family!

Humans aren’t the only one affected by allergies. Your dog or cat can suffer from allergic reactions to any number of things — in the air, on their skin and in their food. Allergies must be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian, but first, you must know what to look for.Common signs and symptoms of allergies
persistent scratching, licking and skin chewing
face and ear rubbing
inflamed skin patches, hair loss and foul odor
coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose
frequent vomiting or diarrhea
The most common allergy symptoms are the skin reactions, regardless of the cause. And they can they can crop up at any age. Just because your pet didn’t have allergies as a puppy or kitten, doesn’t mean your dog or cat won’t have them now that they are adults.Four of the most common types of dog and cat allergiesInhalant Allergies
Inhalant allergies (atopy – reactions to specific allergens such as pollens) in pets are caused by the same common allergens that affect humans — dust, grass, trees, mold, pollen, ragweed, etc. Allergies can be seasonal or persistent and skin reactions are most common. Atopy can often be treated with the same medications you take, but please don’t treat your pet’s allergies without veterinary supervision.
Signs of inhalant allergies include:
• Chewing on the feet
• Constant licking of the flank and groin area
• Rubbing of the face
• Inflamed ears or recurring ear infections
• Recurring hot spots in dogs and pinpoint facial scabbing in cats
• Asthma-like wheezing and respiratory problems (more common in cats)Contact & Flea Allergies
Less common allergies include contact dermatitis, which can include allergic reactions to carpets, cleaners, or plastic. These allergies may cause:
• Red itchy bumps or blisters on sparsely-haired areas of the skin and the belly, feet, or muzzle
• Intense scratching
• Hair loss (in chronic conditions)
Contact and flea allergies generally cause skin irritation and are treated topically. You might be surprised to learn that most cats are only vaguely bothered by fleas. But those that are allergic can suffer — and so can their owners. Cats with contact and flea allergies often chew their skin raw, leading to hair loss, odor and infection, so fastidious flea control is a must.Food Allergies
Food allergies account for about 10-15% of all allergies in dogs and cats. They can be the most difficult to diagnose and manage. Treatment involves a hit-and-miss approach involving a restricted diet and the gradual reintroduction of possible allergens to determine the culprit. Skin reactions to food allergies are common, but frequent vomiting or diarrhea can also be a sign. Keep in mind that if there is a change in your pet’s diet (or your pet just ate something it wasn’t supposed to), your dog or cat may experience an episode of vomiting or diarrhea — this doesn’t necessarily mean your pet has an allergy. Watch your pet and see if it becomes a persistent problem. If it does, then schedule an appointment with our vet clinic.
Food allergies may show up along with with allergies to pollen, dust, etc. Symptoms include:
• Itching, especially face, feet, trunk, legs and anal area
• Ear problems
• Skin infections that respond to antibiotics, but then recur as soon as the antibiotic therapy ceases
Occasionally, pets with true food allergies may have increased bowel movements and soft stool. Food allergies should not be confused with food intolerances, which are not true allergies, and generally cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Watching your pet go through the misery of allergy symptoms is not fun. If you suspect your pet has allergies, visit our pet clinic. The type of allergy and severity of the symptoms will determine how our veterinarian, Dr. Adney decides to treat them.
Less common, but more severe allergic reactions include:
• hives
• facial swelling
• Anaphylaxis (A rare, life-threatening, immediate allergic reaction to something ingested or injected.)
These symptoms usually appear within 20 minutes of being exposed to the allergen, which can include drugs, chemicals, insect bites, or something eaten.
If your pet has a history of a severe allergic reaction, Dr. Adney will be happy to discuss various options with you.
Allergies can vary from pet to pet, so it is important that you work with Dr. Adney, our vet here at Day and Evening Pet Clinic, to make sure YOUR pet gets the best possible treatment. Call us at 727-785-7200 and let us help your dog or cat at the first sign of allergies. You and your pet will both be happy you did.